Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Presentation by Kendal Haverland 2010/2011
Maya
Angleou
Biography
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Maya Angelou: An Inspiring Poet
“She has seen sorrow, she has experienced pain, yet she inspires all to press on and enjoy
the life that has been given to them. Maya Angelou can touch people's hearts, and make
them see things they have not seen. Words are tools, and Maya Angelou, a fine
craftsman” (“She Infuses Your Soul with Words”).
This quote from squidoo.com, explains that Maya Angelou has inspired many
people throughout our world with her works of writing. In St. Louis, Missouri, a
remarkable woman was born on April 4 th, 1928 (“Maya Angelou”, Poets.org). Born
Marguerite Annie Johnson, Maya Angelou has traditional African American values and
life. At age 3, Angelou’s parents got a divorce (“America’s Renaissance Woman”) and she
had to go back and forth between St. Louis, Missouri and Stamps, Arkansas where her
grandmother lived (“Global Renaissance Woman”). Living in Stamps, Arkansas with her
grandmother, Maya Angelou experienced first-hand brutal racial discrimination. The
discrimination made Angelou take on a deep religious faith. When Angelou was eight, she
went to visit her mother in Chicago, Illinois. Unfortunately while she was there, her
mother’s boyfriend raped her (“America’s Renaissance Woman”). May Angelou was very
quiet for about six years after being raped (“Maya Angelou Biography”). In Angelou’s
early teenage years, she earned a scholarship from the San Francisco Labor School where
she could study dance and drama (“Global Renaissance Woman”). Maya Angelou
attended George Washington High School in San Francisco (“Maya Angelou”, Poetry
Foundation). At 14, she dropped out of the school, because she had a dream to become
the first African-American female cable car conductor. Maya Angelou graduated from
high school, and had her son, Guy, at just 17 years old (“Global Renaissance Woman”)
(“Maya Angelou Biography”).
Biography (Cont.)
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Once Maya Angelou graduated from high school, she didn’t take any post
secondary schooling. At 16 years old she left home and embraced the role of a single young
mother. Towards the end of the 1950’s, Maya Angelou became intrigued by developing her
ability as a writer. After Maya Angelou moved to New York, she became a member of
Harlem Writers Guild (America’s Renaissance Woman”). Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.,
requested Maya Angelou serve as Northern Coordinator for the Southern Christian
Leadership Conference (“Global Renaissance Woman”). In 1968, Dr. Martin Luther King
Jr. was assassinated on Maya Angelou’s birthday; leaving Angelou confounded. Angelou,
with the help of James Baldwin, a novelist, found writing to be calming, and started to
work on “I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”. Like many other poets, Maya Angelou has
been selected and has won several awards. Angelou was privileged with the Presidential
Medal of Arts in 2000 and the Ford’s Theater Lincoln Medal in 2008. Her most recent
award, in 2011, was presented by President Barack Obama, and is the nation’s highest
civilian honor, the Presidential Medal of Freedom (“America’s Renaissance Woman”).
Maya Angelou’s poetry is her form of expressing herself. Her poetry has the
ability to touch people’s hearts. Poetry is Angelou’s way of coping with the difficult times
she faced while growing up. She has gained strength from the obstacles she went through,
and that is why she is a notable, famous person. Maya Angelou’s poetry is distinct
because of her incantatory style and boldness; her words are filled with wisdom. Angelou
inspires people to realize and embrace the potential everyone holds inside themselves.
Maya Angelou’s poetry consists of many poetic devices; including, imagery, repetition,
rhyme, hyperboles, and metaphors. Angelou’s poetry is best summed up by Lyman B.
Hagen, when he states, “Angelou may rank as a poet of moderate ability, but her poetry is
praised for its honesty and for a moving sense of dignity” (“Angelou, Maya
Introduction”). Maya Angelou can be summed up in one word: fearless.
List of Works
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings”
“Just Give Me a Cool Drink of Water ‘Fore I Diiie”
Gather Together In My Name
Oh Pray My Wings Are Gonna Fit Me Well
Singin’ and Swingin’ and Getting’ Marry Like Christmas
And Still I Rise
The Heart of a Woman
All God’s Children Need Traveling Shoes
Shaker, Why Don’t You Sing
Now Sheba Sings the Song
I Shall Not Be Moved
“Life Doesn’t Frighten Me”
“On The Pulse of Morning”
Wouldn’t Take Nothing for My Journey Now
Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou
My Painted House, My Friendly Chicken and Me
A Brave and Startling Truth
Phenomenal Woman: Four Poems for Women
“Phenomenal Woman”
Kofi and His Magic
Even the Stars Look Lonesome
From a Black woman to a Black Man
Analysis
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Maya Angelou has written many aweinspiring and stunning poems. In her poem,
“Touched by an Angel”, Angelou shows the power of
love. She uses the literary element of imagery in a
way that makes it seem real. Imagery is used by the
author to recreate a vivid sensory of experiences for
the reader. Maya Angelou uses the phrase, “Love
strikes away the chains of fear/from our souls”. This
represents imagery because it is giving the reader a
sense that if they find love, they will be set free from
whatever was holding them back. Another example
of imagery Maya Angelou uses in this poem is, “Love
arrives/and in its train comes ecstasies”. This phrase
explains that when love arrives joy and excitement
will be found, but it will also have its downfalls, such
as depressions or feeling hopeless. “And suddenly we
see/that love costs all we are/and will ever be”. This
phrase states that love involves risks and sometimes
it may be hurtful, but just brush it off because no
matter what, someone will always be willing to help
or give advice. Maya Angelou uses the imagery of
love to refer to the “angel”. The imagery in Maya
Angelou’s work allows the reader to feel like they can
relate to what she is saying. This poem can be
summed up in saying that you never know what you
have until it’s gone; so cherish the smaller things in
life.
Touched by an Angel
By Maya Angelou
We, unaccustomed to courage
exiles from delight
live coiled in shells of loneliness
until love leaves its high holy temple
and comes into our sight
to liberate us into life.
Love arrives
And in its train come ecstasies
old memories of pleasure
ancient histories of pain.
Yet if we are bold,
love strikes away the chains of fear
from our souls
We are weaned from our timidity
In the flush of love’s light
we dare be brave
And suddenly we see
that love costs all we are
and will ever be.
Yet it is only love
which sets us free.
Sample Poems
“I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings” by Maya Angelou, is a remarkable poem that shows how a
shy, timid person can have a loud voice when it comes to getting something they would like. “The caged bird
sings with/A fearful trill of the things unknown”. This line struck me because it says that despite the
unknown, the bird still sings for what he wants. The bird is surrounded by these ‘bars of rage’ yet he
imagines what life would be like outside of being in captivity.
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
By Maya Angelou
A free bird leaps on the back
Of the wind and floats downstream
Till the current ends and dips his wing
In the orange sun’s rays
And dares to claim the sky.
The free bird thinks of another breeze
And the trade winds soft through
The sighing trees
And the fat worms waiting on a dawn-bright
Lawn and he names the sky his own.
But a bird that stalks down his narrow
cage
Can seldom see through his bars of rage
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
But a caged bird stands on the grave of dreams
His shadow shouts on a nightmare scream
His wings are clipped and his feet are tied
So he opens his throat to sing.
The caged bird sings with a fearful trill
Of things unknown but longed for still
And his tune is heard on the distant hill for
The caged bird sings of freedom.
The caged bird sings with
A fearful trill of things unknown
But longed for still and his
Tune is heard on the distant hill
For the caged bird sings of freedom.
Sample Poems
“Weekend Glory” by Maya Angelou is a poem stating that you don’t need to be rich to live a rich life.
You don’t need money to buy everything in life; you can just live it to the fullest and enjoy every moment of it. “My
life ain’t heaven/But it sure ain’t hell”. Reading this poem, that line stuck out to me because life isn’t always
perfect, but it isn’t always bad either. Sometimes you spend more time in a bad situation, but those are the life
lessons you learn from. Take it step by step and enjoy the journey. There are two paths in life that you can take.
You can either take the one that leads you in a good direction or you can take the one that may get you into
trouble.
Biography
List of Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Weekend Glory
By Maya Angelou
Some clichty folks
don't know the facts,
posin' and preenin'
and puttin' on acts,
stretchin' their backs.
They move into condos
up over the ranks,
pawn their souls
to the local banks.
Buying big cars
they can't afford,
ridin' around town
actin' bored.
If they want to learn how to live life
right
they ought to study me on Saturday
night.
My job at the plant
ain't the biggest bet,
but I pay my bills
and stay out of debt.
I get my hair done
for my own self's sake,
so I don't have to pick
and I don't have to rake.
Take the church money
out
and head cross town
to my friend girl's house
where we plan our
round.
We meet our men and
go to a joint
where the music is blue
and to the point.
Folks write about me.
They just can't see
how I work all week
at the factory.
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Life Doesn't Frighten Me
By Maya Angelou
Shadows on the wall
Noises down the hall
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Bad dogs barking loud
Big ghosts in a cloud
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Mean old Mother Goose
Lions on the loose
They don't frighten me at all
Dragons breathing flame
On my counterpane
That doesn't frighten me at all.
I go boo
Make them shoo
I make fun
Way they run
I won't cry
So they fly
I just smile
They go wild
Life doesn't frighten me at all.
Tough guys fight
All alone at night
Life doesn't frighten me at all.
Panthers in the park
Strangers in the dark
No, they don't frighten me at all.
That new classroom where
Boys all pull my hair
(Kissy little girls
With their hair in curls)
They don't frighten me at all.
Don't show me frogs and snakes
And listen for my scream,
If I'm afraid at all
It's only in my dreams.
I've got a magic charm
That I keep up my sleeve
I can walk the ocean floor
And never have to breathe.
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Not at all
Not at all
Life doesn't frighten me at all
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Life Doesn’t Frighten Me
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Life Inspires Me
By Kendal Haverland
Radiant light shining from the sun
Makes me want to go out and run
Life inspires me
Original
Poems
Children wandering the street
Singing to a brand new beat
Life inspires me
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Sweet old Mrs. Tookies
Is always offering fresh baked cookies
Life inspires me
Families on the run
Let’s hope they remember to have
some fun
Life inspires me
Bibliography
I may fall and get hurt
Just rub it with some dirt
I get back up and smile
Just to see what life throws my way
Life inspires me
People may disagree
But in the end, they’ll get together and plant a tree
Life inspire me
On a hot spring day
In the middle of May
Life inspires me
Children with lemonade stands
Always starting hip new bands
Life inspires me
A butterfly in the sky
Makes time fly by
I love to see
How happy people can be
Life inspires me
My future is all together
Standing proud and tall
I will show all of those
Who thought I would fall
Life inspires me
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Still I Rise
By Maya Angelou
You may write me down in
history
With your bitter, twisted lies,
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
You may trod me in the very
dirt
But still, like dust, I’ll rise.
Does my sassiness upset you?
Why are you beset with gloom?
‘Cause I walk like I’ve got oil
wells
Pumping in my living room
Just like moons and like suns,
With the certainty of tides,
Just like hopes springing high,
Still I’ll rise
Still I Rise (Cont.)
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Did you want to see me broken?
Bowed head and lowered eyes?
Shoulders falling down like teardrops
Weakened by my soulful cries.
Does my haughtiness offend you?
Don’t you take it awful hard
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got gold
minds
Diggin’ in my own back yard.
You may shoot me with your words,
You may cut me with your eyes,
You may kill me with your
hatefulness,
But still, like air, I’ll rise
Does my sexiness upset you?
Does it come to a surprise
That I dance like I’ve got diamonds
At the meeting of my thighs?
Out of the huts of history’s shame
I rise
Up from a past that’s rooted in pain
I rise
I’m a black ocean,
Leaping and wide
Welling and swelling I bear in the tide.
Leaving behind nights of terror and
fear
I rise
Into a daybreak that’s wondrously clear
I rise
Brining the gifts that my ancestors
gave,
I am the dream and the hope of the
slave
I rise
I rise
I rise.
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Still I Rise
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
I Rise
By Kendal Haverland
You may think of me as a friend
But we both know it’s not true
With your rude actions leaving me out
Still, like an eagle, I gracefully rise
Original
Poems
Does my friendliness offend you?
Why are you so rude?
‘Cause I talk in a friendly way
To everyone I meet
Sample
Poems
Just like life
On a rollercoaster ride
Just like bouncing back off a trampoline
Still I rise
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Do you want to see me broken?
Hurt by your actions?
Unable to forget what you’ve done
I’m weakened by every tear I cry
Does my spunkiness upset you?
Don’t take my spirited style with hate
‘Cause I laugh like I’ve got a comedian
Whispering jokes in my ear
Your words may hurt me
Your looks may be intolerable
What goes on behind my back is the past
And still I rise
Does my thoughtfulness upset you?
Does it come to a surprise
That people come to talk to me
As if I have a degree in giving advice
Out of the crowd of people that surround me
I rise
Looking back on a past where we used to be friends
I rise
I’m one person in this world creating change that’s
needed
Leaving behind your harsh words
I rise
Into a new day
I rise
Bringing the advice of my peers
I keep my head held high and still
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Prisoner
by Maya Angelou
Even sunlight dares
Original
Poems
and trembles through
my bars
to shimmer
Sample
Poems
dances on
the floor.
A clang of
Inspired
Poems
lock and
Guard prey men
serve plates of rattle
noise and concrete
death and beans.
Then pale sunlight stumbles
through the poles of
iron to warm the horror
of grey guard men
keys and heels
and blood-dried
Bibliography
It’s jail
and bail
then rails to run.
guns.
Even sunlight
Dares.
Kendal Haverland’s poem
inspired by Prisoner
Inspired Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Cheerful Winter
By Kendal Haverland
Even sunlight dares
To sneak a peek during a long winter
season
With frosted trees
And fluffy snow falling
Children have snowball fights
And many colorful lights
Shine bright on the roofs of houses
Its winter
A time of singing and cheer
For all the enjoy
When snow melts
And color starts to appear
Thy sky becomes clear
Spring is nearby
Original Poems
Biography
Sweet Dreams
By Kendal Haverland
List of
Works
In the night of a deep sleep
I see a treasure that oozes bright light
My courage burns in the disaster of the fire
Turning my sweet summer dreams
Into the cold frost of the winter
A romantic tide of bliss sweeps over the distant mountain
Creating complete chaos
The quiet stream with the soft sound of a humming bird
Slowly narrows off
The light of the treasure as bright as a fire
Leads my out of my misery
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Original Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
From Life to Death
By Kendal Haverland
Mournful hate
Rage inside
When will it end?
Things not right
An uncouth mouth
Spiteful
Spit to the face
Lingering hatred
When will it end?
A life too short
Sequence never ending
A sudden stop
When will it end
Out in the night
Such fear
Now it’s time
What goes around
Comes back
Again
Original Poems
Biography
Wildflower Mom
By Kendal Haverland
List of
Works
Original
Poems
A strong fish in the sea
The largest tide won’t faze her
A butterfly dancing around on the summer’s hottest day in the desert
A wild lilac with its gorgeous velvet touch and aroma that fills the air
A wild flower still standing after an outrageous fire destroys the woods
Sample
Poems
A beautiful rainbow that brightens the day after a dreary rain shower
An evergreen that has survived the struggle of a freezing ice-covered winter
A woman with the largest amount of courage I’ve ever seen in a person
Inspired
Poems
She has the desire to always want what’s best for her family
Although her life is chaotic at times
And more than one curve ball has come her way
Bibliography
She will always be my mother
And I will always love her
Original Poems
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
Skaters Life
By Kendal Haverland
Skateboarding
Spinning wheels glide along the street
The pavement sets me free
With half pipes and ramps
Soaring through the air
When you take a leap of faith
There are times you fall
Bumps bruises and broken bones
Life isn’t always simple
You have to swerve to miss the obstacles
It’s all about the challenges
Learning from every mistake you make
Bibliography
Biography
Biography Websites:
http://www.poets.org/poet.php/prmPID/87
http://mayaangelou.com/
List of
Works
http://www.biography.com/articles/Maya-Angelou-9185388
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou
http://www.achievement.org/autodoc/page/ang0bio-1
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Bibliography
http://www.squidoo.com/MayaAngelou
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/10/22/earlyshow/leisure/books/main3391
490.shtml
http://www.enotes.com/poetry-criticism/angelou-maya
http://www.poetryfoundation.org/bio/maya-angelou
http://naturalaloebeauty.blogspot.com/2010/07/thank-you-lord-by-mayaangelou.html
Bloom, Harold, ed. Bloom's BioCritiques Maya Angelou. Philadelphia: Chelsea
House Publishers, 2002. Print
The Complete Collected Poems of Maya Angelou. N.p.: n.p., n.d. Print
Bibliography
Biography
List of
Works
Original
Poems
Sample
Poems
Inspired
Poems
Photos:
http://farm6.static.flickr.com/5178/5485115146_eea839a987.jpg sample poem-caged
bird photo
http://www.rgbstock.com/cache1oBeDb/users/l/lu/lusi/300/mwMzZiY.jpg- life
doesn’t frighten me-photo
http://lent2009.files.wordpress.com/2009/04/foot-prints-lent-blog.jpg weekend
glory photo
http://www.digitalpicturezone.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/moonphotography.jpg sweet dreams photo
http://c0170361.cdn.cloudfiles.rackspacecloud.com/1401669_22033_9ffea64119_p.j
pg still i rise photo
http://mayaangelou.com/bio/ Maya Angelou Photo
http://cache2.artprintimages.com/p/LRG/26/2661/5ZFUD00Z/art-print/jan-lakeysunlight-shining-through-dense-forest.jpg Inspired Poem- Prisoner picture
http://www.hausonthehill.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/07/winter-sunlight.jpg
Inspired Poem- Wonderful Winter
Analysis poem – Touched by an Angel photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Inspired poem-I Rise photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Inspired poem- Life Inspires Me photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Bibliography
Original poem-Wildflower Mom photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Original poem-Skaters Life photo taken by Kendal Haverland
Original poem- From Life to Death photo taken by Kendal Haverland